The deprivation of services by a caretaker necessary to maintain the health and welfare of an adult is referred to as which criminal charge?

• A. Elder Abuse
• B. Financial Exploitation
• C. Neglect
• D. Assault

Answer: (A)

The key idea here is that elder abuse covers harming an older person by actions or inactions that threaten their health or welfare. When a caretaker deprives an adult of the services they need to stay healthy, that act is a form of neglect, and neglect falls under the umbrella of elder abuse. So charging the crime as elder abuse is appropriate because it recognizes the broader abuse category that includes neglect.

Financial exploitation involves stealing or misusing the elder’s money or assets, which isn’t what’s described. Assault requires intentional physical harm, which isn’t necessarily present in simply withholding care. The scenario fits the concept of neglect, but the statute commonly labels the offense under the broader charge of elder abuse, with neglect as the specific form of abuse.